Aldridge was never in consideration - because there were whispers of him having back issues. I heard and read rumours of Colangelo wnting to trade down to acquire an asset and still be in position to draft Bargnani. However, if the Raptors hadn't drafted Bargnani at #1 themselves and intead traded down for a pick within the lotto, the Bulls would have taken him at #2.

Gay at 16.4 million isn't worth it. 16.4 million per season is reserved for franchise carrying players. The Raptors should steer clear of players with salaries like that unless they are indeed those aformentioned franchise players.

Never heard about Aldridge's back problems at the time. Would absolutely love to acquire Gay and believe he is a franchise player you can build a team around. People have to remember that DD & Ed came into the league as projects with high ceilings. They came with the label patience required: In time they should turn out to be pleasant surprises!

I read an article, about a year ago that BC has the best draft record of any current GM based on players performance versus other players drafted at that number. I tried to find the article but the best I could do was this article from 82games.com which ranked the franchises over the last 20 years

"We only have one rule on this team. What is that rule? E.L.E. That's right's, E.L.E, and what does E.L.E. stand for? EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY. Right there up on the wall, because this isn't just a basketball team, this is a lifestyle. ~ Jackie Moon

"We only have one rule on this team. What is that rule? E.L.E. That's right's, E.L.E, and what does E.L.E. stand for? EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY. Right there up on the wall, because this isn't just a basketball team, this is a lifestyle. ~ Jackie Moon

Pretty sure both those articles are a year or two old but still pretty relevant. If any can find the article I was looking for I'd appreciate it if they could post the link.

Even if Coangelo isn't the best active GM at drafting, I think he is a lock for top 5, which I think we can be happy with. His downfall in the past seemed to be trading away youth for a win now run that never materialized in a meaningful way. Hopefully he doesn't make those mistakes this time around.

"We only have one rule on this team. What is that rule? E.L.E. That's right's, E.L.E, and what does E.L.E. stand for? EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY. Right there up on the wall, because this isn't just a basketball team, this is a lifestyle. ~ Jackie Moon

When he drafts, he does well. When he trades the pick, he fails miserably.

agree. he is either great at evaluating talent himself or listens to all the scouts and the team makes the right choices. when he trades or signs free agency he tends to get tunnel vision and competitive. if there is a player he wants he will throw whatever he can to get them.

Bargnani was a bad pick when Aldridge was still available. Even Bosh publicly stated that he would choose Aldridge - this is unusual for a player to do. He might still be here if it were not for this mistake and the fortunes (on court) would have been night and day! Even with Bargnani's future improved play, it was still the wrong choice. At the time I was thinking, it's BC, I must be wrong. Didn't take too long after to see that it was he who clearly made the incorrect choice! Don't like players with knee problems unless it's a heavily scrutinized (informed) decision - Roy!

I was upset with the DD choice because Lawson imo was clearly such a talent. Disappointed he missed Jennings even though I knew nothing about him - this should not excuse BC. Other players further down that he missed also.
On the bright side DD's work ethic should lead to much future improvement and I have high hopes for him.

Liked the Ed pick at the time so I have no say now. Loved Jordan Crawford and wanted them to find a way to get him at 27.

Liked Fredette, Knight and JV in that order. His order was JV then Knight. Thought he did very well, but new decision makers were in the mix by then.

Moving forward, I see them drafting better than they ever have - still worry about them missing players though!

There are two players in this draft that I will be disappointed if they don't get.

As much as you want to say even Chris Bosh said draft him, the reason we didn't draft LA was because of Chris Bosh's presence the 2 played basically identical with no chance of ever being able to hold down the paint because they were both considered "finesse" big men. Even though Andrea had that stigma as well he was at least a legit 7 feet tall with the potential to hold down the paint due to his shot blocking abilities ( which he's proven to be decent at).

Excited about Jennings? Why.. all he did was talk, his stats were suspect.. Derozan was easily the best pick for us at the time already projected around that spot and was suppose to be able to fill a huge hole on the wing for us .. he may still..

Ed davis who cares that draft sucked lol

and we all saw where drafting fredette got sacremento..lol adam morrison v2.

Bargnani was a bad pick when Aldridge was still available. Even Bosh publicly stated that he would choose Aldridge - this is unusual for a player to do. He might still be here if it were not for this mistake and the fortunes (on court) would have been night and day! Even with Bargnani's future improved play, it was still the wrong choice. At the time I was thinking, it's BC, I must be wrong. Didn't take too long after to see that it was he who clearly made the incorrect choice! Don't like players with knee problems unless it's a heavily scrutinized (informed) decision - Roy!

I was upset with the DD choice because Lawson imo was clearly such a talent. Disappointed he missed Jennings even though I knew nothing about him - this should not excuse BC. Other players further down that he missed also.
On the bright side DD's work ethic should lead to much future improvement and I have high hopes for him.

Liked the Ed pick at the time so I have no say now. Loved Jordan Crawford and wanted them to find a way to get him at 27.

Liked Fredette, Knight and JV in that order. His order was JV then Knight. Thought he did very well, but new decision makers were in the mix by then.

Moving forward, I see them drafting better than they ever have - still worry about them missing players though!

There are two players in this draft that I will be disappointed if they don't get.

Nice work putting things in perspective - things are not as bad as we think: Even though they might have missed a few good players readers recognized, they look to have outperformed many teams in lottery selecting!

+1
It just goes to show how much of a crapshoot this is, and how much emphasis we put on ONE move making or breaking a team. I think I'll read this over and over to get rid of my nerves heading into the draft

Aldridge was never a real consideration for the 2006 draft for the Raptors. Can you imagine BC, or any GM, using the #1 overall pick to draft a player who will only be a guaranteed backup player as long as your current young, franchise player is on your roster? Please, hindsight is one thing, but the Raptors were never ever ever going to draft Aldridge with Bosh as the focal point!

The 2006 draft for the Raptors essentially was between Bargnani and the 3 wings - Roy, Foye and Gay. For the first few years lots of fans were wishing the Raps had drafted Roy, but where are they now? Foye is a decent rotation player, but borderline starter. Gay is a great player at both ends of the court, but he's also making about 50% more per season than Bargnani... is he worth the $16.4M he'll be making next season? I was and continue to be satisfied with the Bargnani pick... as a fan of his, I only wish we had gotten him with the #2-5 pick, so that so many fans wouldn't automatically heap the "#1 overall" expectations on his shoulders!

Trade the pick and maximize your assets then. They picked Bargnani and in hindsight (because Colangelo has said Andrea is a natural 4 now) it is the exact same scenario as picking Aldridge isn't it?

Gay is making more money but you don't know what type of contract he would be signed to with the Raps currently. even then, i'd rather pay more money for a player that is committed to the game and getting better every year then a player who I am paying less to but coasts on whatever natural talent he has.

Thats what assessing talent is all about as a GM. Do you see a problem with Rudy Gay regarding motivation and lack of assertiveness now?

Game 7 of Mephis against the Clippers, 4th quarter in a close game with all of your season on the line. Rudy Gay produced, in 9 minutes of play: 3 rebounds, 1 turnover and a grand total of 2 fieldgoal attempts, both missed (one even meaningless with 17 seconds to go and trailing by 11).